Fresh acts join wide range of well-known performers

Lytham Festival is fast carving a reputation for bringing some of the freshest talent on the UK music scene to the Fylde Coast.

The Festival’s Stage Too at Victory Hall, next to St Cuthbert’s Church, has a packed line-up of artists all next week, with a variety of upcoming acts alongside some more well-known names.

Selecting the acts for Stage Too involved scouring the UK music scene, using social media and industry contacts, to find the latest thing that is going to make it big.

The gigs at Stage Too will have an intimate feel with slightly more than 200 tickets available on each night, giving revellers the chance to get up close and personal with the artists.

Kicking off the Stage Too action on Monday is R&B singer-songwriter Lemar. The triple MOBO and double BRIT award winner is no stranger to huge performances having shared the stage with the likes of Beyonce and Justin Timberlake but his Lytham performance will give fans the chance to get up close and personal with him in the 250 capacity venue.

Tuesday features former X Factor hopeful and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! runner-up Jake Quickenden, while Wednesday sees Leigh four-piece The Lottery Winners joined on the night by Merseyside band The Hummingbirds.

Ventriloquist Nina Conti

Thursday offers an R&B style for festival-goers with MOBO award winning MiC Lowry, a five-piece known for their harmonies, the following evening sees Blackburn-based singer-songwriter Nathan Grisdale bring his boy-next-door looks and pop sounds to Stage Too and the final concert of the week at the venue sees Room 94 give a distinctly rock flavour to proceedings.

Lytham Festival director Peter Taylor said: “We’re delighted with the line-up on Stage Too this year and are sure that our customers will be too.

“The venues that we’re using are a really key part of what we’re trying to achieve as well – encouraging people to enjoy a more intimate experience with some incredibly talented musicians.

“It is a real testament to where Lytham Festival is that we’re able to attract artists who are quite literally on the brink of becoming the next big thing.”

Lemar

World music

Lovers of world music are set to be delighted by the stunning array of genres that are coming to Lytham Festival’s World Jazz Stage at the Assembly Rooms.

Whether you prefer reggae, ska, Irish folk or the bugalu sound there is plenty to choose from as beats from across the globe descend on Lytham for a week-long celebration of music.

The stage will be taken over by some of the country’s most renowned and talented world music bands and musicians, and organisers Cuffe and Taylor can’t wait to get started.

Matt Cardle

Lytham Festival director Peter Taylor said: “We know how much festival goers enjoy exploring new sounds and experiencing new types of music so we’re delighted about introducing the World Jazz Stage.

“Lytham Festival really is an opportunity to celebrate music in all its forms and we’re delighted to once again be packing the bill with some of the world’s best musicians.

“The line-up is incredibly eclectic and there is something to suit every taste - and all of it is guaranteed to put a huge smile on your face.”

Monday features the Off The Rails Big Band, with 17 members and musical offerings ranging from jazz and Latin through to funk; Tuesday sees the Soul Convicts from Blackburn take to the stage with covers from all the soul legends; on Wednesday, Jeremiah Ferrari, a four-man fusion of reggae, rock, ska and punk are on the menu, having previously supported big names such as The Wailers and the Stereo MCs.

For those who enjoy Latin, the nine-piece powerhouse Bugalu Foundation perform on Thursday, August 4, the following evening sees Fire Beneath The Seatake to the stage, offering an eclectic infusion of hop, funk, ska, jazz, drum and bass and afro beat, Irish folk quartet Drop The Floor perform on Saturday, August 6 and on Sunday, August 7, local boys Lupa Tom with their own special brand of folk music to the stage.

The other stuff

The Lottery Winners

Ventriloquist and comedian Nina Conti’s one-night show at Lytham Festival’s Pavilion Stage on Monday will be her first date in the North of England this year and comes ahead of a 27-night run at Edinburgh Festival.

The evening of fun and frolics, which will take place at Lowther Pavilion, will be followed on successive nights at the Pavilion by performances from rapidly rising country duo The Shires, comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti, former X-Factor winner Matt Cardle, high energy punk band The Dolls and Space, boyband Lawson, acoustic duo and Wonderstuff members Miles and Erica and 80s synthpop band Heaven 17.

At the Church Stage in St Cuthbert’s Church, lovers of classical music can enjoy the Heart of England String Quartet on Friday, August 5 and the Heart of England Chamber Orchestra on Saturday, August 6.

Festival director Peter Taylor said: “I and all the team are confident that Lytham Festival 2016 really does offer something for everybody and we hope that as many people as possible can come to Lytham and experience a fantastic array of live entertainment.”